Cayetano gives cash aid to Cebu tricycle drivers

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has extended P150,000 as financial assistance to tricycle drivers in Bogo City and neighboring towns in northern Cebu yesterday.

Cayetano met with the Bogo Land Transportation Federation in Bogo with the aim to help members fully recover from the damages caused by Yolanda last year and to discourage them from borrowing from loan sharks that charge high interest rates.

The federation is composed of 23 different associations in Bogo and neighboring towns. It has 1,500 tricycle drivers as members.

Dubbed as the “Kontra 5-6 Program,” the project is part of the senator’s Presyo, Trabaho, Kita platform, which he launched during his 2013 reelection campaign in the hope of addressing problems related to high prices of goods, lack of jobs, and low income.

“Palaguin ninyo ang perang iyan at pagbalik ko dito three months after, kapag lumago ang perang binibigay ko sa inyo, dodoblehin ko iyan,” Cayetano said during the turnover of the said amount to the federation, which was witnessed by Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez and other city and barangay officials.

The microfinancing mechanism allows members of cooperatives, entrepreneur groups and organizations wider access to capital that they can use to improve their livelihood and increase their income.

“They play an important part in the development of the province’s economy following the wrath of Yolanda. They deserve every assistance that they need to regain their livelihood,” the senator added.

Meanwhile, noting that preparation is the key to proper disaster risk reduction and management, Cayetano once again called for the passage of Senate Bill No.1940 which, if enacted into law, would establish an “Emergency Response Department” that will be headed by a person with a rank of Cabinet Secretary.

Cayetano said a comprehensive ERD law will lead to the improvement of calamity operations in the country and will make sure that a more responsive, immediate and focused action will be carried out by the government in times of emergencies.  (FREEMAN)